Page 3209 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 18 August 2009
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Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: in what capacity is Mr Doszpot asking the question of Mr Barr? Mr Barr can be asked a question about his portfolio responsibilities. Mr Doszpot has not indicated that this question in any way relates to any of Mr Barr’s responsibilities. Therefore the question is out of order.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne.
Mrs Dunne: Mr Speaker, Mr Barr is the planning minister and is therefore responsible for all concessional leases, including those concessional leases which cover licensed clubs. In fact, he currently has out for discussion a planning and development concessional lease amendment regulation that relates directly to licensed clubs.
Mr Corbell: On the point of order, Mr Speaker, Mr Doszpot’s question did not in any way canvass any of those matters raised by Mrs Dunne. It simply asked about the issue around the proposed sale of the Labor Club. The question is clearly out of order. Members opposite need to frame questions to ministers as they relate to their ministerial portfolio responsibilities. Mr Doszpot has failed to do so and his question is out of order.
Mr Seselja: Mr Speaker, on the point of order, what Mr Corbell is arguing is that the minister who is responsible for concessional leases and responsible—
Ms Porter: It was not the question though, was it?
Mr Seselja: If I can finish—responsible for concessional leases which are clearly a factor in the potential sale of this club cannot be asked about whether he or any of his representatives in any way influenced the potential sale or otherwise of that club. It is directly relevant. Just because they do not like the questions does not mean that they are out of order. He is the planning minister; he is responsible and he should answer the question.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Corbell’s point of order has picked up a technical flaw in Mr Doszpot’s question. I invite Mr Doszpot to re-ask his question.
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the planning minister, responsible for concessional leases, and relates to the potential breach of the gaming act over the sale of the Labor Club Group. Minister, were you, or any of your staff or your representatives, involved at any level in influencing or directing the sale or withdrawal of sale of the Canberra Labor Club Group? If so, in what manner were they involved?
Mr Corbell: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: members opposite cannot simply say “I refer the minister to” a policy he has responsibility for and then ask a question that has nothing to do with the policy they are referring to. Mr Doszpot has not indicated how there is any connection—
Opposition members interjecting—
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